During the third quarter of this year, the national airlines of the UAE, including Emirates, FlyDubai, Etihad Airways, and Air Arabia, operated over 128,550 flights, offering more than 35.4 million seats. This substantial activity signifies the ongoing growth of these airlines, facilitated by the expansion of their flight networks and the addition of new aircraft.
Data indicates that Emirates ranked first among the national carriers in terms of flight numbers, conducting over 46,290 flights in the third quarter. This success is attributed to the airline’s extensive global network and an increase in travel demand. FlyDubai followed in second place with 33,440 flights, while Etihad Airways recorded 25,800 flights. Air Arabia secured fourth place, operating around 23,000 flights.
In terms of seat capacity, the four airlines collectively provided 35.43 million seats during the third quarter.
Emirates accounted for the largest share with approximately 19.1 million seats, followed by Etihad Airways with 6.4 million seats, FlyDubai with 5.7 million seats, and Air Arabia offering around 4.1 million seats.
According to the data, August 2025 emerged as the most active month in the third quarter, with all four major airlines in the UAE reporting an increase in total seats and flight numbers compared to July and September. Emirates operated approximately 15,690 flights, providing over 6.4 million seats. Meanwhile, Etihad Airways managed around 8,800 flights with 2.2 million seats, FlyDubai offered 11,500 flights with 1.9 million seats, and Air Arabia conducted over 8,000 flights with 1.43 million seats. These figures highlight the heightened demand for air travel during August, coinciding with the holiday season.
This strong performance reflects the national carriers’ ability to adapt to changes in the global travel market, as well as the effectiveness of their expansion strategies to meet growing demand in both regional and international markets. Moreover, the country’s investment in airport infrastructure and air services has solidified the UAE’s position as a major hub in global aviation.
The robust activity of these national carriers significantly boosts the tourism and business sectors in the UAE, enhancing the flow of travelers arriving for both work and leisure. This, in turn, positively impacts hotel occupancy rates and stimulates tourism expenditures. Additionally, the expansion of the air network and the variety of destinations promote trade and investment, providing the UAE with a considerable competitive edge regionally and globally. The country’s airports have become key hubs connecting the East and West, attracting more transit and incoming flights, which underscores the sector’s role in supporting the national economy and ensuring sustainable long-term growth.
Analysts anticipate that the sector will continue to grow in the fourth quarter of the year, driven by increased demand and the ongoing expansion of airlines’ destinations, thereby reinforcing the UAE’s status as one of the leading aviation centers globally.